A disguised Loid spoke to his cloaked handler at a bench in a nearby fountain park. "The agency is pleased that Operation Strix is proceeding as usual. However..." She lightly bowed, two fingers touching the brim of her hat.
"There have been several suspicious transactions among Ostania's banks, particularly those companies that expressed full support to the National Unity Party. The amounts are enormous, enough to supply and purchase various advanced armaments in high volume. The higher-ups believe that the success of Operation Strix is very crucial if peace is what we wish to prevail." The handler explained in a low voice.
Hmm. So Ostania is indeed starting to mobilize its plans. I need to work harder to become the perfect father. Anya must become an Imperial Scholar as soon as possible, Twilight thought.
"I understand. I shall do my best to make it a success."
"Very well. Then have your daughter continue her good work at Eden. Be sure to keep your family blended in. We wish you good luck, Agent Twilight."
Twilight replied with a silent nod. The handler stood with the help of her walking cane, pretending to limp toward the alley.
~~~~~
"I'm home." Loid found his family training in their living room when he came home that evening. Are they training? he thought, as Anya reached her toes on the mat.
"Papa! Anya is having special training with mama," Anya sternly replied, keeping her concentration on her business.
Loid's brows twitched. "Huh? A special training?"
"Ah, Anya said she's afraid of tripping while dancing in heels, so I am improving her coordination, balance, and flexibility," Yor explained to her husband. This would also be one of the early steps for her to eventually strangle strange men in the future.
"That is a good plan, Yor. What will you be dancing, Anya?"
"Wal-s, Papa. Wal-s," Anya said as she slowly brought her hands to her chest.
The waltz, I see. Loid's mind automatically corrected.
"And you said you're dancing with Damian?"
"Hmm-mmm. This is Anya's chance to befriend him! He said Culture Day is important."
Culture Day is important for the Desmonds? That makes sense. Culture unifies a nation. And his father heads the National Unity Party. Loid's eyes narrowed. Anya listened to her father's thoughts as she trained.
The National Unity Party will likely celebrate this event. Donovan only attends the most important gatherings, but it seems in one way or another, he will watch. Loid walked toward the sofa as he removed his tie.
Then Anya will inevitably get his attention since she will be dancing with his son. However, how will this affect the operation? Right, there is a risk of getting exposed early this way. He threw his tie on the smaller couch.
Anya froze. Oh no, Papa will be exposed! The spy mission!
"Anya, your shoulders are getting stiff. You need to loosen up," Yor called her daughter out.
"O-okay mama," Anya replied, refocusing on her training. Anya needs to take this special training seriously!
Loid watched Yor and Anya who have moved to the dining area, now tiptoeing behind the dining chairs at the steady rhythm of their counting. He drummed his fingers on the arm of his couch.
But if Anya does well and impresses him, it can get us an invitation as a friend of the Desmonds sooner than later. Loid closed his eyes as he deeply pondered. Then...
He stood and shoved his right hand inside his pocket. "Anya, tell Papa later what you will need for your presentation."
I need to make sure she doesn't fall short of this event!
Anya's eyes sparkled. "I'm telling you now, Papa! I need a pair of heeled shoes and a nice gown."
~~~~~
The next day, the Forgers set out to buy Anya's shoes after her class at Eden. They walked the cobblestone path, looking around for shops and good finds when Anya suddenly sprinted to the glassed display of one of the stores. She was enamored by a pair of silver shoes with olive green crystals on top. They're nice! They remind me of something, hmm...
They remind me of Sy-on boy's eyes! I'll make my shoes match him! Maybe we'd be friends if I do! She turned to her parents.
"Anya wants the shiny shimmery shoes!" she blurted while pointing to the display.
"Alright, let's go inside." Loid prodded his family as he opened the door. The shopkeeper immediately assisted them and Anya was given a new set of shoes to try on. Yor slid them on her feet.
"These shoes are comfortable and are made for dancing and formal events," the shopkeeper explained. "I hope you'd find a liking to it, young lass. Please, try and take a walk with it."
"Okay!" Anya did as the shopkeeper suggested. She walked, twirled, and even tried to do the waltz (what little she could remember) in her new shoes.
"Ah! Such grace, young lass! I have never seen any girl of your age walk in heeled shoes with ease. You must be a prodigy!" the shopkeeper exclaimed.
"Anya is a prodigy?!" She made a smug face but noticed her father sigh. Anya should not let it get into her head. A shocked expression appeared on her face after hearing her father's thoughts.
"Uhhh... Papa, Mama, Anya likes these shiny shimmery shoes," Anya said, making the shopkeeper smile from ear to ear, offering a discount because of how delighted he was with Anya.
"Anya wants to walk around in her new shoes," Anya announced. Anya must get comfortable with the shoes as soon as possible! Loid and Yor decided to just let her be. They left the shop once they've settled the payment.
Next, the Forgers visited their tailor to have Anya's measurements taken for her gown. Loid decided to let Yor and Anya collaborate in choosing the details and the design.
After the shopping, Loid secretly went to WISE headquarters to report to the handler while Yor and Anya trained at the park. They sprinted around, balanced on one foot with extended arms, stood on pointed stones, and walked along narrow edges. Yor also trained Anya on instinctively moving the left and right sides of her body when given directions. She also made Anya perform more flexibility exercises in the hopes that it would help her move gracefully. They also tried several feet crossing movements and practiced turning without getting dizzy.
~~~~~
And so the first dance exam day arrived.
"Anya trained so hard with mama to dance well!" Anya pumped a fist as she descended the bus and took her usual walk but this time proceeding to the dance studio. After the usual roll call, the students of Cecile Hall were called into a room one by one to demonstrate how gracefully they can execute the steps so far practiced. Students are allowed to watch their classmates if they want to.
However, things looked bleak for Anya. Mr. Henderson spoke to her, his hands behind his back. "Anya Forger, you have failed to show us the proper footwork for the waltz. I advise you to carefully review the basics and learn them right. You will have a second dance exam tomorrow before we start the practice."
"Yes sir," Anya replied, slightly tearful and feeling down. It was Anya's fault. Anya overdid special training and forgot to practice the waltz. She sighed as she watched her professor leave.
"Oi Shrimp, what's with that performance? I expected a lot from you," Damian said, his arms folded. He took the exam early to make sure that he can watch Anya's dance. He was the top scorer among the boys.
"I-I'm sorry, Sy-on boy! Anya did a special training with mama and forgot to brush up on the waltz," Anya replied apologetically.
"Huh? What other training do you need? Should you not have trained for the waltz?"
"B-but..."
"Huh?!"
"A-Anya trained the legs and feet so that I won't trip on my shoes while dancing..."
So she worked on those? he thought. Damian was slightly taken aback as he remembered their past conversation. Is it because I told her not to end up tripping? She truly took that to heart? He then realized that whatever training she did must have worked considering how at ease she was in heels during her exam albeit her terrible waltz footwork. He felt his ears warm.
"Desmond!" Both Anya and Damian turned at the yelling Becky. "Anya is not happy about it, okay? She doesn't need to hear from you!"
Becky pushed her pink-haired friend in front of Damian, who took a backstep because of the sudden proximity. Becky went beside her friend, tilting Anya's chin slightly up, making her gaze at Damian straight into his eyes. Damian, mesmerized by the pair of emeralds before him, hesitantly locked eyes with her.
"Can't you see the distress in the young maiden's face? How could her prince charming be so cruel!" she continued in a dramatic tone. Becky's exaggerating, Anya thought.
"Ugh!" Damian gritted his teeth, his eyes still on Anya, his face getting red.
Wait, someone's not denying being Anya's prince charming huh? Finding Damian's reaction amusing, Becky chuckled devilishly and continued her spiel.
"Anya has been working so hard, even training her stubby legs to satisfy your demands... and this is what she gets from you? You didn't even notice how she gracefully moved as if wearing flat shoes," she further guilt-tripped.
Stubby... legs... Anya felt confused as to whether she was really defending her.
"Enough Blackbell!" Damian closed his eyes, his fists clenched on the sides. Embarrassed, he spoke to Anya. "I'm sorry, okay?" I just panicked a little. I want us to perform well before everyone!
"It's okay, Sy-on boy. I really should be the one apologizing to you," she lightly scratched her cheek.
"Oooohhh, so a Desmond can be humble. It seems you are her Prince Charming after all," Becky said, her tone more teasing. Damian rolled his eyes at her before focusing again on Anya.
"I need you- I want you-" Damian paused, finding the right words to say. "Y-You must pass the exam tomorrow! You hear me?!"
"Of course, she will! After all, her footwork's already perfect by the time she gets home today," Becky said before Anya could even utter a word.
"How is that?" Damian asked.
"Well," Becky looked at her friend, taking both her hands. "I'm going to teach her right after class," she said proudly.
Anya's expression instantly brightened.
"Is that true, Becky?" Anya asked.
"Of course!" Becky exclaimed.
"Ah! Thank you!" Anya hugged her friend.
"Alright, then," Damian said. Guess I didn't have to worry.
Anya faced Damian. "Don't worry! Anya will do her best, Sy-on boy!"
"O-okay, don't waste this chance," Damian softly reminded before leaving the two. He quietly walked the expensive wooden floors of the studio, his mind in deep prayer.
You are the only girl who is allowed to be my dance partner, Anya.
~~~~~
Meanwhile, Mr. Henderson spoke to the female and male waltz instructors about the recently concluded dance examination. "We want the center to be occupied by the best pair since, apart from Calliope, they will attract the most attention," Mr. Henderson started. "For now, let us discuss ones that showed promise."
The female dance instructor first spoke. "The girl in pigtails remembered all the steps correctly, but her balance when dancing in heels needs improvement. She could be placed in the center or front."
"Ah, Ms. Blackbell. Indeed, her footwork was on point. But her grace needs some refinement," Mr. Henderson said.
The male dance instructor then gave his observations. "Without a doubt, Mr. Desmond danced very well. He is definitely the prince of the ball."
"Agreed. But the beauty of the waltz is in the synchronicity and coordination between partners. It takes two to dance the Ostanian Waltz," Mr. Henderson pointed out.
"Certainly," the male dance instructor nodded.
"The pink-haired girl is his partner, right? She failed her footwork, yes... but she was the most graceful and at ease in heels among the girls," the female dance instructor commented.
"Ah, yes. she did impress me that way. Two days ago, I could see her having difficulty coordinating her body and telling which side is left or right. That's no longer the case now. She made remarkable progress despite her footwork that needs correction. Ms. Forger is promising so I am giving her a second chance," Mr. Henderson said.
"And if she doesn't perform within the minimum acceptable standards?"
"Then we'll swap her with Ms. Blackbell."
~~~~~
The next day, Anya surprised everyone with her performance. The instructors were impressed that they gave her a perfect score. Anya jumped with joy after getting her mark.
"I did it, Becky! Thank you for helping Anya!"
"You did it on your own! Good work, Anya!" Becky jumped in joy together with her friend.
Damian (mentally) smiled as he watched Anya celebrate. Good. Anya will still be my partner, he rejoiced (mentally).
Mr. Henderson and the instructors gathered to discuss the results of the reexamination.
"Well, it seems we do not have to make any changes when it comes to dancing partners," the female dance instructor spoke.
"Yes. She definitely can match our male top performer," the male dance instructor said.
"Agreed," Mr. Henderson responded with a nod. He then walked forward to get the students' attention.
"Now that the exams are over and you have demonstrated the steps correctly, all pairings are final. We are now discussing the plans for the Cecile Hall culture day performance. Then, you will learn more about choreography and blockings from your dance instructors. I expect you to master everything by Monday."
He faced the board.
"Brilliant students must know the title and composer of any new masterpiece they come across," Mr. Henderson said as he wrote:
Song Title: When I Dream of You
Composer: Werner Tauber
"You will dance along to this masterpiece as it is sung live by a renowned soprano opera singer. We will now listen to the song so you can familiarize yourselves with it. Notice the rhythm and feel the emotions it invokes within. Your aim is for your bodies to move in response to the music."
Mr. Henderson snapped his hand to signal the operator. The song started playing and in no time, captivated everyone inside the room.
Once the music stopped, both students and dance instructors clapped their hands.
"It's so beautiful," one of the students commented. The others nodded in agreement.
A fine choice. As expected of the Elegance Master, the dance instructors thought.
"Hmmm," Mr. Henderson slightly bowed his head. "That should give you a bit of inspiration. Our technical rehearsals will involve every single performer and behind-the-scenes staff, including Calliope Abrin and the Berlint Philharmonic. The final schedule will be decided soon. I hope you will all give your best."
"Wow, Eden sure is investing in Culture Day," Ewen commented.
"Yeah, I never thought it's this big of a deal," Becky replied to her partner.
Mr. Henderson raised his hand. "Now then, to your partners."
All those involved in the Ostania National Culture Day worked hard to perfect their presentations within the next few days. Finally, the time for preparations has ended, and the most-awaited day came.
~~~~~